A total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children have been officially reintegrated into their communities by the Borno State Government.
After surrendering to military forces, the group underwent comprehensive deradicalization, disarmament, and rehabilitation, alongside training in various trades.
The milestone was announced in Maiduguri during a graduation and reintegration ceremony by Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Ishaq (retired), Special Adviser on Security to Governor Babagana Zulum, who highlighted the event as a success for the state’s specialized reintegration policy.
These individuals make up “Batch 9” of the state’s low-risk clients. To ensure accountability and foster trust within their host communities, the “repentant” ex-insurgents swore an oath on the Holy Quran prior to their release.
Ishaq, however, described the event as marking another milestone in the Borno Model Non-Kinetic approach to the fight against terrorism in the North-east region and Borno in particular.
“It has been a success story since 5th July 2021 when the good people of Borno State under the stewardship of our dynamic leader Prof Babagana Umara Zulum agreed to forgive and accept their sons who are willing to drop arms and embrace peace.
“Today, the Borno Model is adjudged to be one of the most effective non-kinetic programmes in the history of mankind with over 350,000 persons that willingly exited the bush and surrendered to the military.
“A total of 720 men, 992 spouses, and 2,050 children who had repented and surrendered to troops are to be reintegrated after many of them were deradicalised, disarmed, and rehabilitated at the Hajj Camp in Maiduguri and acquired various skills acquisition programmes.
“Their way back from the bush began with a call from their colleagues encouraging them to surrender, embrace peace and re-unite with their parents,” he said.
Ishaq said the terrorists had hitherto exited from the bush and reported to the nearest military location for initial profiling, and those with weapons surrendered to the troops.
Ishaq explained that while some defectors were caught and killed by terrorists before reaching safety, those who successfully made it to military positions were transferred to the Hajj Camp.
“There, they underwent proper documentation, profiling, and deradicalization.
“The camps’ administrators kept them busy with various programmes geared towards deradicalisation and preparing them for life after camp.
“Tuesdays and Thursdays were for Islamic programmes, lectures on hygiene, drug abuse and other fields during Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays were for skill acquisition programmes such as metal works, carpentry, tailoring, pot making, brick laying, barbing, cap making, repair of phones, solar installation, vulcanising, and repairs of motorcycles”. Ishaq said.
He said that their women were not left out in skill acquisition as they were trained in cattery services, knitting, cap marking, tailoring, soap making to mention a few.
Ishaq said the state government had provided starter packs for them and their spouses to support them in their post-camp life.
“The Borno Model has reintegrated 8960 in Batches 1-8 and with today’s 720 clients (Batch 9), there would be 9,680 clients.
“The clients seated in front of you were disarmed, demobilised, thoroughly deradicalised and rehabilitated.
“They are from Bama, Kondugua, MMC, Jere, Mafa, Dikwa, Gwoza, Damboa, Marte, Mongunu, Kukawa, Gbambolu Ngala, Kalabarge and Gubio Local Government Areas.
“Community leaders, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)/Hunters screened them properly before recommending them for reintegration,” he said.
Ishaq, however, urged them to go back to their various communities and be law-abiding, participate actively and positively in community work and development programmes.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Babagana Kadai,said the day was not merely a ceremony but a celebration of hope, resilience, reconciliation, and the commitment of the Borno government to restoring peace and rebuilding lives affected by years of insurgency.
“I would like to express our deepest appreciation to His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor of Borno State, whose visionary leadership, compassion, and dedication to peacebuilding have continued to attract national and international recognition.
“Under Zulum’s leadership, thousands of families displaced by conflict have been resettled, communities have been rebuilt, schools and healthcare facilities have been restored, and opportunities have been created for vulnerable populations to regain their dignity and livelihoods.
“This programme is another testament to his administration’s commitment to fostering peace, unity, and social cohesion in Borno State,” Gambo said.
She stated that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development will remain at the forefront of these efforts.
“Since the inception of various rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, the Ministry has played a critical role in providing psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification services, child protection interventions, women empowerment initiatives, vocational training, and community sensitisation programmes aimed at ensuring successful reintegration.
“Our Ministry has worked tirelessly alongside state institutions, development partners, humanitarian organisations, and community stakeholders to support women, children, and vulnerable families affected by conflict. We have provided counselling services, livelihood support, educational opportunities, and social protection interventions designed to help beneficiaries rebuild their lives and become productive members of society,” the commissioner said.
In their goodwill messages, the Chief Imam of Borno, represented by Sheikh Shettima Jafar, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, representatives of heads of security agencies such as Police, Immigration, Customs, Correctional Service, among others enjoined the clients to be good ambassadors and law-abiding to the constituted authorities in the society.
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